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Kathy Schultz, Owner and Director

Kathy holds a Master's of Education and a teaching credential from Cal Poly. She has taught in a variety of capacities including the public school setting as a dance specialist for Children’s Creative Project, Bellevue Santa Fe Charter School, and Ocean View Elementary School, and as a guest teacher for the ACE Camps summer program. Kathy studied, taught, and choreographed at the Academy of Dance in San Luis Obispo for 15 years. While at the Academy of Dance she also directed performance troupes and served as the executive director of the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo. She was one of several choreographers featured in an international tour of The People’s Republic of China. Kathy was able to fulfill a dream when she opened her own studio, Coastal Dance, in Shell Beach in 2004. Due to the incredibly positive reaction, the fledgling studio was soon too small for it’s growing number of students. Therefore, in February of 2008, with the help of family and dear friends, Kathy expanded her growing studio to a beautiful new facility in Arroyo Grande, CA, adding music, voice, theater, and fitness to her program. Coastal Dance has now become Coastal Dance and Music Academy (CDMA).

Kathy has been a contributing choreographer for Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. Her work has been featured in the dance department’s productions of Dance Spectrum and Dimensions in Dance. She currently teaches jazz, tap, and ballet to all ages at Coastal Dance and Music Academy, and is the Director of the Performance Troupe. In 2008, Kathy and Tara became the founders of Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet, a non-profit ballet company. Her family-oriented, up-beat and polished performance troupe shows have received rave reviews wherever they have performed. Kathy’s loving, nurturing, and positive teaching style continues to be the guiding force behind Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Molly McKiernan, Artistic Director Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet

Molly's first ballet class was at the age of 5 at her neighbor Mary Cowden Snyder's studio garage. It wasn't long after, that she realized dance was going to be a part of her world for a long time. Her dance training continued at American Dance and then over to Academy of Dance in San Luis Obispo where she spent many years studying as a young dancer.

When her family moved to Austin, Texas Molly auditioned and was accepted to the prestigious Ballet Austin Academy, which provided her with exquisite formal dance training and three seasons performing in the Nutcracker. A few years later Molly returned to San Luis Obispo and rejoined the Academy of Dance. There she trained, performed, and danced several lead roles over many seasons with their ballet company, The Civic Ballet, and then went on to teach, choreograph and become Artistic Director of the well received Sleeping Beauty Ballet for two years.

Throughout Molly’s extensive career with dance she has had the opportunity to teach and perform all around the United States and internationally. She has trained with such companies as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Austin Ballet Theatre and has choreographed and performed for International venues including China, Spain and Cuba.

Coastal Dance and Music Academy is Molly’s home now. Molly takes great pride in nurturing and developing Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet into a caliber of excellence and beauty for her dancers and the community. Molly is the Artistic Director of Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet as well as an instructor of jazz, lyrical, and ballet.

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Tara Behnke, Owner and Assistant Director

Tara has taken her dance training very seriously since the ripe old age of three. As a young artist, she began her study of classical ballet at the Academy of Dance in San Luis Obispo. Her training immediately broadened to include jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, contemporary, and hip-hop. She was the top scholarship winner at the Dance in Action Convention in 1998, and has trained at West Side Ballet, Zeal Studio, and The Edge in Los Angeles, as well as Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tara's intense schedule of training provided the foundation for a myriad of dance experiences including national and international tours. A member of The Academy of Dance performance troupes for eleven years, Tara toured with the professional level San Luis Jazz Dancers to Spain in 1997, China in 1999, and Cuba in 2000. Also a member of the Civic Ballet for seven years, Tara was one of the company’s principal dancers. Tara's roles over the years have included Arabian Queen, Snow Queen, Rose Bud, Wind-Up Doll, Soldier Captain, and Clara in The Nutcracker. She was the Blue Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, and was featured as a soloist in Wild Heart. Tara received accolades for her performance as Maria in the Civic Ballet’s production of West Side Story. Tara also danced to rave reviews as Nancy in Since I Saw Her Standing There, a Beatles ballet. 

Tara was a member of The Academy of Dance teaching staff for two years. During that time she was the director of two of the Academy’s performing groups. In 2004, Tara was accepted into All Things Contemporary Dance Company. She danced with them before joining Coastal Dance as a guest teacher in 2005. Tara has been a contributing choreographer for Coastal Dance’s Summer Intensive Program since 2007, Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet’s production of Babes In Toyland since 2008, and Morro Bay High School’s 2009 Dance Intensive. In 2008, Kathy and Tara became the Founders and Executive Producers of Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet, a non-profit ballet company. Tara holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Psychology from Cal Poly. Tara is the Assistant Director and Owner of Coastal Dance and Music Academy as well as an instructor of jazz, contemporary, pointe, and ballet, the Director of All That Jazz and Ain’t Misbehavin’, and CDMA’s web designer.

Mandy Corbett, Dance Instructor

Mandy was born and raised in the beautiful state of New York where her dance career began at the age of five in ballet, tap, and jazz. At the age of 16, Mandy began to choreograph and perform dances with friends at local events. At this time, she began studying hip hop at the Dance Center Of Westchester in Pleasantville, NY. Her dance training broadened in South Carolina where she learned the basics in Ballroom and Latin styles at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Greenville. There she was offered a professional ballroom dancing contract and an invitation to compete.

In 2007, Mandy moved to California and began more formal dance training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary styles at Dellos Performing Arts Center. Mandy has competed in jazz, lyrical, and hip hop styles and has also been a guest teacher in local summer intensives.  In 2008 Mandy attended a “Youth With A Mission” school in Montana and had opportunities to perform there as well as all over northern India and Africa.  

Mandy’s training in ballet at Coastal Dance and Music Academy afforded her the privilege to perform as the Toymaker in their 2009 production of Babes In Toyland. She began to learn tap and became an assistant for Kathy Schultz. Mandy has also performed in Dance Spectrum at Allan Hancock college and continues to train and teach locally the beauty and art of dance.

Meghan Jarrell, Dance Instructor

Meghan began her dance training at the age of 4 where she studied classical ballet at the Classical School of Ballet in Lompoc (formerly the Sue Dalton School of ballet). Here she danced her heart away for 15 years. During those 15 years Meghan performed in many studio ballet productions which included excerpts from the classical ballets of Coppelia, the Nutcracker and a leading role in Markitenka. She also received training in tap and jazz. In 2007 Meghan danced as a part of the Allen Hancock College dance department for 2 years where she dove deeper into her passion of dance. She participated in multiple shows where she danced in pieces that included ballet, lyrical, modern, tap and jazz.

During this time Meghan was a part of Children’s Creative project where she brought her love of dance into elementary school classrooms around the Santa Maria Valley. This is where her two passions met- dancing and teaching children. She later moved to Sacramento to continue her education as well as her dance passion. She danced for one year at Sacramento State University, where she received training in classical ballet and tap. Meghan holds a Bachelors of Arts in Child Development from Sacramento State University.

Cami Johnson, Dance Instructor

Cami grew up here on the central coast and attended her first ballet class at the Academy of Dance in SLO at the age of three.  Her love of dance developed instantly and has only continued to grow through the years. She also discovered, early in her life, the joy of working with children. Cami attended San Jose State University where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz as she earned a degree in Child and Adolescent Development. During these college years up north, she was the coordinator of a child care program at a private elementary school and also had the opportunity to teach beginning ballet and tap to children of low-income families at a Family Life Community Center. After graduating college, her journey into motherhood began and she moved back to the central coast to raise her family. She jumped at the chance to be part of the CDMA family in March 2011 and is thrilled to share her love of dance with young children.

Jennifer Lopes, Fitness/Dance Instructor

Tony Ramirez, Dance Instructor

Ben Reyes, Dance Instructor

Ben has been involved in dance at Allan Hancock College since 1983, first as a student and dancer, and later as a choreographer and currently an instructor on campus. He has participated in AHC Dance Ensemble since its beginnings, performed and choreographed for numerous dance concerts, and taught for the Youth Dance Company in the AHC College for Kids program. He has been a guest choreographer and dancer for Cal Poly's Orchesis dance productions 1995-2001. He has also been an instructor for Class Act Dance studio in Paso Robles and a guest choreographer for high schools in and out of the area. Ben is a jazz, hip hop, and partnering instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Heather Whitlock, Dance/Acrobatic Instructor

Heather began tap dancing at the age of three, and immediately fell in love. She began performing in troupes and competitions by the age 5. Heather broadened her studies to include; tap, jazz, ballet, gymnastics, modern and hip hop at Clovis Academy of Gymnastics and Dance, where she also began teaching at 16. Dancing gave Heather the opportunity to travel to many states for competitions and conventions over the years. In addition, she was able to take workshops with tap legends Al Gilbert, Savion Glover, and the late Gregory Hines. In Clovis she was also very active in Center Stage Productions, where she appeared in Annie, The King and I, and Anything Goes. Upon meeting her husband she relocated here to the Central Coast where she now is raising her three children. She was thrilled to be a guest dancer in the 2009 Coastal Chamber Ballet's production of Babes in Toyland, and is looking forward to sharing her love for dance and the stage with everyone at CDMA. Heather is a tap, street jazz, preschool dance and acrobatics instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Marissa Williams, Dance Instructor

Marissa has been dancing since the age of three. She started in the discipline of ballet and branched out to study all types of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and hip hop. Marissa studied and competed nationally at Yoko’s dance and performing arts in Fremont, CA where she earned top honors, and cash scholarships, for numerous routines over the years. In 2002, at the age of 14, Marissa scored top routine in an entire dance competition (Dance USA) of over 2000 routines (groups, solos, duos etc. all ages) for her tap solo “play it cool“. Marissa has also earned scholarships from multiple dance conventions including Tremaine, L.A underground, and Urban Jamm. Marissa has danced with the Oakland ballet, and San Francisco ballet in different pieces throughout her teenage years. She has worked with many award winning dancers and choreographers over the years including Yoko Young, Nick Lazzarini, Eddie Garcia, Patrice Barakat, Tap dogs, and Savion Glover. Marissa moved to the central coast to study for her bachelor’s degree in corporate financial management. Marissa is a tap instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Kate Wells, Fitness Instructor

Kate L. Wels has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. She is a certified personal trainer, post rehab specialist and aerobics instructor. She also specializes in working with youth and seniors, including teaching P.E. and aqua aerobics as well as with women on concerns such as balance and agility. Kate is also a certified Zumba instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy. Her certifications include ACE, AFAA, AEA and AAHFRP.

Beverly Dahlke-Smith, Music Instructor

Beverly is a talented music industry woodwind professional with many years of performing and recording experience. She has worked with such music industry heavyweights as Les Brown, Elton John, The LA Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Tom Petty, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Michael Bolton, to name just a few. In addition to many live performances and tours, she has performed on recordings for many features films, television shows, radio and television commercials, and music CDs. Beverly has the distinction of being the only female instrumentalist ever to be a member of the Les Brown Band of Renown. In addition, she was also the first female instrumentalist ever hired to be a part of the Harry James Band and also the first woman to be a full time member of a studio band for a TV talk show - the Joan Rivers Show. Beverly is a keyboard and woodwind instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Fred Gonzales, Music Instructor

Fred is originally from San Diego, CA where he studied the Trumpet and Flugelhorn for 10 years before going on to work professionally throughout the United States. He and his family focus on the arts and believe music and dance are very important in life. Fred’s most recent credits include: working with the San Diego Music Theater group in “A Chorus Line,” recordings with “Thy Styletones” (Funk), “Wise Monkey Orchestra” (Funk), “Prisa!” (Latin Jazz) and “Jazz Trax” (Big Band), among other recording groups. Fred has had the privilege of teaching the trumpet for four years at Kellogg Elementary School located in Chula Vista. His expertise is in teaching group and private lessons in technique on the trumpet as well as music theory to students ages 3 to 103. Fred’s enthusiasm with the trumpet really shines when he is teaching. His high energy and creativity grabs his student’s attention and keeps them engaged. 

Teresa Gasca-Burk, Music and Movement Instructor

Teresa has been teaching music and movement to children on the Central Coast for 15 years. She began at the Academy of Dance in San Luis Obispo teaching Creative Movement to preschoolers. Word of her wonderful work with children spread and she was asked to present a class for the young students at Shell Beach Elementary. She expanded her program to include basic music theory and appreciation for the young. She has now shared her program with students from Shell Beach Elementary, Bellevue Santa Fe Charter School and Robin’s Rugrats Preschool. Teresa performs in the community for children with her band BIRDIE. Along with her husband and writing partner, Gary, she has written and recorded two original CD’s for children titled, “Birdie,” and “Birdie-My Family Tree.” Her music can be found on iTunes, CDBaby, Pandora, and Rhapsody.

Tom Mears, Music Instructor

Tom has been instructing students of all ages in the fundamentals, techniques and musicality of drums and percussion for over 20 years. Tom recently moved from Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo and will be continuing his successful teaching style to future drummers on the Central Coast. Tom has already found his niche playing drums for the SLO County Band and the White Caps. Tom's musical background includes studying with the principle percussionist of the Kalamazoo, Michigan Symphony Orchestra and playing with the Western Michigan University Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. As a music major at Western Michigan University, he composed several pieces for percussion and drum ensembles. As a multi-percussionist and drummer, Tom has found many opportunities to showcase his talents in virtually every type of music ranging from country to jazz to rock and has played with numerous bands. Tom is also a certified drum therapist with an international program, Drums and Disabilities (D.A.D.) a non-profit organization that helps children and adults with Autism, Dyslexia, ADD, Tourette's, Asperger’s, ADHD, OCD, ODD, and other disabilities, to develop retention, coordination, social skills, sensory integration, fine motor skills, and physical and cognitive functioning. The DAD Program is featured in school systems, hospitals, health facilities, and community centers throughout the world.  TO LEARN MORE ABOUT  D.A.D. PLEASE VISIT www.dadprogram.org

Russell Phillips, Music Instructor

Russell is a self-taught guitarist who has been playing for over 40 years for family, church events, and in folk, country, rock and roll, and Vietnamese wedding bands. He attended Harvard College and holds a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. His family of four children and wife of 23 years moved to Pismo Beach in 2007, and thoroughly enjoy the spirit and artistry of the Central Coast. Russell is a guitar instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Natalia Berryman, Theater Instructor

Natalia has a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal Poly. She is also a former graduate of the actors training program at PCPA and has worked professionally with PCPA in a few of their summer fests in numerous roles. She has worked with Sorcerer Productions for the past four years as Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and has enjoyed portraying roles such as Christine Colgate in the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Her ultimate goal is to merge Sorcerer with a company that can evoke training to adults but especially to youth and that is why she is excited to be joining CD&MA. Natalia wants to thank the man she loves Jeff Salsbury for his encouragement and for being her best friend. Finally, she is grateful to her wonderful parents Alberto and Marcia and loving children Lucas and Josie for their continuous love and support. She wants her family to know that she loves them very much! 

Tamara Shibata, Voice Instructor

Tamara began singing and performing at the age of five. Her love for music began after watching countless music rehearsals and concerts performed by her parents. This passion has since grown through singing in church and school choirs, solo performances, and ensemble work. She started choirs ranging from preschool all the way through high school and adult ensembles, including the groups Resound and Simple Offering. Tamara loves to teach and share her gift of music. She has performed in such venues as carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City and sang in the American Choral Directors Association’s national conventions in 2003 and 2005. She also went on a recording tour to Praque in the summer of 2007. She studied vocal performance at Cuesta Community College and California Baptist University. Tamara is a voice instructor at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Suzanne Eisworth, Bookkeeper

Suzanne graduated from Cal Poly in 1991 with a B.S. in Physical Education and a minor in Psychology. While in recent years she has devoted herself to raising her family, she has also worked in administration for Cannon Associates, Staff Builders Home Health Care and Wells Fargo Bank. Suzanne lives in Shell Beach with her husband, Ron, and their three children. When not working, Suzanne is passionate about physical fitness, home projects, and spending time with and supporting her family. Suzanne is the bookkeeper at Coastal Dance and Music Academy.

Shannon Freeby, Office Manager

James Bachman, Music Instructor

Jim began playing the guitar at age seven, but did not start formal lessons until he was ten. At the age of fourteen he began studying classical guitar with New York guitarist Bob Perrine. After studying in New York he moved to California where he received a bachelor’s degree in music at California Polytechnic State University.

While at Cal Poly Jim studied Classical Guitar and Lute with Dr. Craig Russell. Guitar Performance with Mathew Grief, Music Education with Dr. Alison Mclamore, Music theory with John Russell, and Piano with Dr. Terry Spiller. Jim studied Jazz guitar with Ted Greene, Bruce Forman, and Reid Alburger. He also has performed in numerous master classes with Scott Tennent, Alex De Grassi , Dusan Bogdanovic, Christopher Parkening, and Jeff Linsky.

Jim is currently teaching guitar at Cal Poly. Jim has become one of the most sought after guitarists on the central coast, and has a well-established repertoire, which is suited for most occasions. Jim has performed at The Cal Poly Pac, Cafe' Roma, Village Cafe', Adelaida Cellars, The Jack House, For Senator Jack O'connell, Castoro Cellars, Edna valley Vineyard, Laetitia Cellars, and numerous weddings and parties.